Friday, January 6, 2012

Weigh-In ... 1st of the New Year

My joyful dance isn't solely because I lost all but half a pound of what I gained over Christmas week, but also because I had some great non-scale victories as well.

The first being that I participated in a time of fasting and prayer earlier this week with my church. We do this corporately twice a year in prayerful preparation of our semi-annual Bible conference at our headship church. Sometimes I can commit to the entire time of fasting, sometimes only part of it, but I always commit to the praying.

Usually as the fast approaches I begin to miss food. Yes, like days before I know I'm going to fast I begin to mourn the fact that I won't get to eat. It's pretty pathetic, but also common so I don't feel so bad. I also wake up the morning of the fast and terribly, horribly, excruciatingly miss my coffee.

We do a water-only fast and I am a woman of ritual, which includes, I'm sorry to say, a very strong addictive habit of two cups of coffee every morning. Fasting from it breaks up my routine AND gives the worst headache. *smirk* Both of which I dread....

However, this time around I did not dread not eating food, nor did I dread giving up my coffee. I knew it had to be done and I knew the food and coffee would be there afterwards.

[dramatic pause] I am convinced this is due much in part to the fact that I am breaking that all-consuming relationship with food in my life.

My second victory came into play post-fasting when I did not overeat to make up for the time without food. We always eat a large meal to break our time of fasting and I did eat plenty at that meal. The rest of the time I ate until satisfied and I actually kept drinking water (which I usually despise for a couple days after fasting...blech..).

Not making up for lost time in the calories department showed on the scale this morning. It also showed me that I can do this!! I'm very encouraged...in fact so encouraged I think I'll do another happy dance.

Your "I am convinced this is due much in part to the fact that I am breaking that all-consuming relationship with food in my life." comment really stuck with me. I think it's because my relationship with food has been all-consuming and for far too long - 27 years now.

If I wasn't eating I was overeating. It's been a vicious cycle and one that I am tired of. It's time to take our lives back and find the healthy balance we desire and deserve. This is an awesome post, I love it and I have gained so much from it - thank you :)